Cafe Gaebang
Winner
Excellent Architecture
Retail Architecture
Details
In Café Gaebang, the coffee bar is placed at the centre of the space, so guests seated around the perimeter can view the entire café at a glance. To highlight this central area, the ceiling was designed as a canopy, evoking the festive mood of a madangnori celebration. Narrative elements tied to Korean culture continue throughout the design. The mother-of-pearl furniture subtly reveals traces of the past through its decorations, handles, and patterns, inviting curiosity and storytelling.
The Jury‘s Statement
The striking spatial composition with a central bar transforms »Cafe Gaebang« into a place of authentic encounter. The canopy-like ceiling creates a festive, almost poetic atmosphere. Subtle narrative elements, inspired by Korean culture and historic details, lend the space charismatic depth. This project impresses with confident design, relevant material choices, and an identity-shaping approach that exemplifies the highest standards in excellent retail architecture.
